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Gasification ResearchThe CANMET Energy Technology Centre-Ottawa (CETC-O) houses Canada's foremost R&D facility in the field of gasification. Gasification technologies represent the next generation of solid feedstock based energy production systems. Gasification breaks down virtually any carbon based feedstock into its basic constituents. This enables the separation of pollutants and greenhouse gases to produce clean gas for efficient electricity generation, production of chemicals, hydrogen and clean liquid fuels. CETC-O's Research Services CETC-O's research services are playing a leading role in the development of potential applications for gasification. CETC-O offers these specialized services to assist utilities and other industrial groups with:
Expertise Technology Development CETC-O has been in the R&D business for over 80 years. Our staff offers a broad range of knowledge and experience, supported by world-class research facilities. Services and support for technology development and commercialization, whether privately or under consortia, are available at CETC-O. They can also be arranged at alternate sites in the national network of federal laboratories. CETC-O works closely with major stakeholders in the Canadian energy and R&D sectors. We can help to form strategic partnerships among technology developers, suppliers and users, and to form research consortia. Partners include private sector companies, utilities, federal government departments, other levels of government, universities and other research bodies. CETC-O also works collaboratively with international public and private sector organizations. CETC-O has been involved in coal gasification for over 20 years, and played a leading role in the Canadian Coal Gasification Technical Committee. CETC-O is currently focusing its gasification research in two key areas:
Simulation and Process Control Gasification, syngas treating, and hydrogen production systems are simulated and optimized via the ASPEN Plus process simulator. Entrained flow gasifier performance tests are simulated to ensure realistic pilot plant results are obtained with reliable closure of mass and energy balances.
Our staff is able to provide technical support and, where required, laboratory services at every stage of the technology development cycle, from feasibility studies and basic R&D, to field-testing and incremental technology improvements, to market studies and evaluation services. Once a technology becomes market-ready, CETC-O can assist companies in transferring processes and products to the marketplace. Mathematical Modelling Two- and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modelling of burner oxidant/fuel mixing, heat transfer, species identification and reactions (e.g., NOx formation) can be applied to improve equipment availability, reduce emissions and optimize costs. Field and laboratory measurements are conducted to verify and refine the models developed. R&D Facilities Entrained Flow Gasification The CETC-O entrained flow gasifier (12.7 cm ID, operating at up to 1500 kPa and 1600ºC) is capable of running as a dry feed or slurry feed gasifier. The reactor is sectional in design, allowing the addition or removal of sections to investigate alternate gasification geometries. The gas treating section of the gasification pilot plant has been designed to allow the integration of third-party technologies such as advanced shift reactors, hot gas clean-up facilities, and fuel cells. Gas analysis is performed using a mass spectrometer capable of measuring the concentrations of 16 different gases over a 20-second period. System control and data acquisition are performed by an industrial distributed control system, Freelance 2000 by ABB. The gasification pilot plant configuration (depicted in Figure 1) is only one of many possible con-figurations feasible at CETC-O. Our in-house engineering design team can modify the pilot plant as required to meet client needs. There are a number of suitable feedstocks for the entrained flow gasifier pilot plant including:
Laser Optical Measurements Gasifier operations rely on a combination of temperature measurement and cold gas composition analysis for reactor control. The development of in-situ composition analysis would reduce operational and maintenance costs, provide the necessary data to improve control of the gasification process, increase efficiency, and enhance reliability and availability of gasification systems. The CETC-O gasifier is ideally suited for the development and testing of gasification-related instrumentation. Coal Reactivity A 63 mm diameter x 2 m long entrained flow combustion reactor provides time/temperature histories of coal devolatilization and char burnout. The data generated is used in mathematical models for validation and is used to develop new models for evaluating gasification processes. Analytical Standards As part of CETC-O’s contribution to standards development by ISO, ASTM and IUPAC, extensive work is being done in three major areas:
The Characterization Laboratory specializes in the analysis of process-derived chemicals, fuels, fuel-related products and byproducts in solid, liquid or gaseous state. The laboratory provides clients with physical, chemical, elemental, spectroscopic, chromatographic, and molecular characterization data and their interpretation. Collaborative Accomplishments A variety of arrangements are available to assist industry in the application of this technology. At CETC-O, development of gasification technology is supported by in-house pilot-scale research, by contract research at both fundamental and pilot-scale levels, and by technical support of major demonstration projects.  The CETC-Ottawa gasifier is sectional in design allowing modification to meet client needs.  Oxygen can be supplied to the gasifier at elevated temperatures in order to increase reactivity.  Slag is separated from the syngas in the quench vessel.  The gasifier is capable of running with a dry feed or a slurry feed For further information, please contact: Natural Resources Canada |
